Urinary System 2

Question 1

What are nephrons?

Answer 1

• Nephrons are the functional units of the kidneys, consisting of a renal corpuscle and a renal tubule.

Question 2

What are the two components of a renal corpuscle?

Answer 2

• The glomerulus (capillary network)
• The Bowman’s capsule.

Question 3

What happens in the glomerular capsule?

Answer 3

Filtration of plasma proteins and water save for blood vessels and plasma proteins.

Question 4

What are the three main sections of the renal tubule?

Answer 4

• Proximal convoluted tubule
• Loop of Henle (nephron loop)
• Distal convoluted tubule

Question 5

Where do the renal corpuscle and convoluted tubules lie?

Answer 5

within the renal cortex.

Question 6

What do collecting ducts unite and converge into?

Answer 6

Collecting ducts unite and converge into several hundred large papillary ducts, which drain into the minor calyces.

Question 7

What is the function of the loop of Henle in a nephron?

Answer 7

plays a crucial role in regulating the body’s water and electrolyte balance.

Question 8

What enables the kidneys to excrete very dilute or very concentrated urine?

Answer 8

Nephrons with long loops of Henle enable the kidneys to excrete very dilute or very concentrated urine.

Question 9

What are ureters and their function?

Answer 9

Ureters are two muscular tubes that convey urine by peristalsis from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

Question 10

What are the dimensions of each ureter?

Answer 10

Each ureter is about 25-30 cm in length with a diameter of about 3 mm.

Question 11

What are the three parts of a ureter?

Answer 11

• Pelvis of the ureter
• Abdominal portion
• Pelvic portion

Question 12

Pelvis of the ureter

Answer 12

immediately after the major calyces

Question 13

Abdominal portion

Answer 13

runs downwards and slightly medially beneath the peritoneum on the surface of the psoas muscle

Question 14

Pelvic portion

Answer 14

commences at the brim of the pelvis crossing the common iliac vessels

Question 15

What are the three layers of the ureter?

Answer 15

• Outer fibrous layer (continuation of the capsule of the kidney)
• Muscular layer (outer circular layer and inner longitudinal layer of smooth muscle fibers)
• Inner layer of mucous membrane (lined with transitional epithelium)

Question 16

How is the urinary bladder described anatomically

Answer 16

The urinary bladder has an apex, a base, a superior surface, and two inferolateral surfaces. It is roughly pear-shaped and becomes oval when filled.\

Question 16

What is the function of the urinary bladder?

Answer 16

The urinary bladder acts as a reservoir for urine.

Question 17

What organs are associated with the urinary bladder in females?

Answer 17

• Anteriorly: The symphysis pubis
• Posteriorly: Uterus, upper part of the vagina
• Superiorly: Small intestines
• Inferiorly: Urethra, muscles of the pelvic floor

Question 18

What organs are associated with the urinary bladder in males? A: In males, the urinary bladder is associated with:

Answer 18

• Anteriorly: The symphysis pubis
• Posteriorly: Rectum and seminal vesicles
• Superiorly: Small intestines
• Inferiorly: Urethra and prostate gland